POSITION SUMMARY:

Crisis Worker 2’s are responsible for providing Telephone Crisis Intervention and Mobile services 24 hours a day 7 days a week to mental health consumers in Westmoreland County. The services are provided in an effort to defuse crisis situations and provide stabilization and support to mental health consumers. Crisis Workers work in both Crisis programs and shifts are scheduled based on the needs of the Programs.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Provide the following crisis intervention services: psycho- educational coaching, assessments, resource information, referrals and after care to mental health consumers who are exhibiting a wide array of acute problems/ behaviors, disturbed thoughts, mood and/or social conflicts. Services are provided via the telephone and in the community.

· Complete all documentation required for each Crisis Program according to the Program and regulatory guidelines. Documentation is to be completed appropriately, legibly and in a timely manner.

· Work cooperatively with Westmoreland County Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Westmoreland County Case management and Supports, Inc. and other county providers.

· Can voluntarily participate in the on-call schedule for crisis mobile and agree to be available via cell phone to promptly respond to mobile crisis referrals when on-call.

· Attend all mandatory trainings, case conferences, and staff meetings as scheduled by the Crisis Unit Manager and Director of Mental Health Programs.

· Ensure all programs are operated in accordance with CSP principles.

· Ensure consumer confidentiality, right to appeal, and individual civil rights are maintained in compliance with HIPAA standards established by Westmoreland Community Action.

· Maintain compliance with HIPAA regulations, in regard to accessing Protected Health Information, according to the Table of Access contained in the HIPAA Policy and Procedure Manual. Employees’ access is on a “need to know” basis.

· Perform any and all other duties as assigned by the Hotline Crisis Unit Manager, Mobile Crisis Unit Manager, or Director of Mental Health Programs.

Scope and Impact

Provide Telephone Crisis and Mobile services as scheduled in an effort to defuse crisis situations thus reducing the need for more restrictive care. This position has the “need to know” information that links a consumer to a medical condition and is responsible for maintaining and disseminating that information according to HIPAA standards.

Our mental health team is seeking full-time and part-time Crisis Worker 2's to be responsible for providing telephone crisis intervention and mobile services to distressed Westmoreland County residents. As a Crisis Worker, you will use informed counseling skills to:

• Provide crisis intervention services including psycho-educational coaching, resource information, and referrals and after care to individuals exhibiting acute behavioral problems, disturbed thoughts, mood and/or social conflicts,
• Maintain 24/7 call center presence through three different shifts, and
• Travel using agency vehicle to respond to acute and emergency calls where such cases warrant.

Westmoreland Community Action (WCA) is a non-profit organization that works to connect individuals and families to opportunities and resources throughout the community to improve their quality of life and help to reduce poverty in the community. This is accomplished through housing, counseling, support, education, intervention, collaborations, partnerships, information, referrals, and networking.

The Mobile Crisis Team provides face-to-face intervention, assisting those in crisis during a variety of situations, addressing such issues as suicidal and homicidal ideation, concern for friend or family members, and behavioral health concerns. This service is an expansion of the Crisis Hotline and assists persons seeking mental health support or services. The Crisis Hotline is available 24/7 to provide assistance for individuals in crisis or for individuals seeking assistance for another person in crisis. Calls are answered by a trained crisis worker who will identify the crisis and assist with support, offer resources about community services, and treatment providers.

REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY TO SAFELY PERFORM THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION OF CRISIS WORKER 2:

Physical requirements - Push/pull, lift/move up to 50 pounds.

Manual dexterity - Perform moderately difficult manipulation - typing, filing, writing, some manual labor.

Coordination - Perform tasks, which require foot and/or hand/eye coordination - driving a car, typing, some cooking, moving of furniture.

Mobility - Walk, stand, sit for prolonged periods of time, drive.

Speech - Articulate with extreme accuracy - employee/consumer relations, phone contact.

Vision - Read small print, drive a car.

Hearing - Receive verbal instructions, answer phones, intercom, communicate with employees/clients.

Concentration - Able to concentrate on fine detail with some interruption.

Attention span - Able to attend to task function for more than 60 minutes.

Conceptualization - Able to understand and relate to theories behind several related concepts.

Memory - Able to remember multiple verbal and written task-

assignments given at beginning of a period extending over long period of time.

Environment Conditions - Indoor/outdoor work.

QUALIFICATIONS:

· Bachelor’s degree with major course work in either sociology, social work, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, theology(with emphasis on pastoral counseling), nursing, counseling, education or a related field or

o High School diploma or equivalency and 12 semester hours in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology or other social service and two years experience in public or private human services, of which one year must be mental health direct care experience or

o Six years experience providing mental health crisis intervention services.

· Direct experience in crisis intervention with the ability to assess crisis situations, respond by providing appropriate counseling, assist in resolving crisis situations and arranging for efficient referral and follow-up services.

· Knowledge of counseling skills.

· Knowledge of the components of family therapy helpful.

· Ability to provide accurate written documentation of all crisis contacts.

· Ability to work with other human service agencies to secure needed follow-up services.

· Ability to work with all age groups in resolving crisis situations.

· Knowledge of and ability to work with Microsoft Word and Access programs helpful.

· Ability to work without supervision and maintain accurate, detailed case documentation.

· Ability and willingness to work various shifts, and perform the duties specific to each Crisis Program.

· Acts 33, 34, 114, and sex offender registry clearances.

· PA driver’s license, mandated Agency auto insurance coverage, and reasonably clean driving record.

Full-time Benefits:

• Employer-employee cost share for dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability polices,
• ICHRA health plans – Using an allowance, choose the best plan for you,
• 16 paid holidays,
• 10 days of vacation in first year of employment,
• Sick time,
• 8% retirement match after 1 year and 1000 hours of service,
• Mileage reimbursement,
• Time and a half for holidays worked,
• Shift differential for evening and overnight shifts.

Part-time Benefits:

• 12 hours of personal time off each year,
• 8% retirement match after 1 year and 1000 hours of service,
• Mileage reimbursement,
• Time and a half for holidays worked,
• Shift differential for evening and overnight shifts.

Full-time annual income depending on experience: $54,724.80 to $59,883.20 ($26.31 - $28.79 per hour). Shift differential not included.

Westmoreland Community Action (WCA) is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce that reflects our community and those that we seek to serve. If you, in good faith, believe that you are qualified to succeed in this position, we encourage you to apply. Please include a cover letter to tell us about your unique qualifications for the position. Our hiring manager will review your application and, if interested, will contact you regarding next steps.